Breaking: Struggling to Save Her Political Life, Joni Ernst Endorses Another Key Trump Nominee
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa announced Monday her support for Kash Patel to lead the FBI.
The announcement coincided with Ernst’s endorsement of journalist Pete Hegseth for the position of Secretary of Defense.
In a statement, Ernst affirmed her backing for Hegseth, stating she would “support Pete through this process” despite the challenges posed by allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse, which Hegseth has denied, as reported by the Des Moines Register.
Patel’s nomination has drawn significant attention due to his previous critiques of the Deep State.
Kash Patel will create much-needed transparency at the FBI.
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) December 9, 2024
He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies, downsizing the D.C. bureaucracy, and having public servants work on behalf of the American people! pic.twitter.com/TV9Vk9UjVo
“Kash Patel will create much-needed transparency at the FBI,” Ernst wrote on X.
“He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies, downsizing the D.C. bureaucracy, and ensuring public servants work on behalf of the American people!”
Ernst has faced mounting pressure to align with Trump’s picks for key positions.
Joni Ernst told me she thinks Kash Patel “is going to be great” she said she knows “Kash, and that's why i think he's going to be great. We really do need people that will go in and shake up some of these organizations.”
— Stef Kight (@StefWKight) December 2, 2024
“It’s really this simple: If you oppose President Trump’s nominees, you oppose the Trump agenda, and there will be a political price to pay for that,” a prominent Trump ally told Fox News. “We know there are establishment senators attempting to undermine the president’s nominees to weaken him politically, and we’re not going to let that happen.”
🚨BREAKING: Joni Ernst expresses support for Kash Patel, saying that he will bring “much-needed transparency”. pic.twitter.com/2qPe139Id8
— PeakPerspective (@PeakPrspective) December 9, 2024
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa also voiced his support for Patel, calling for FBI Director Christopher Wray to step down, as noted by the New York Post.
“For the good of the country, it’s time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives,” Grassley wrote in a letter addressed to Wray, referring to both the director and Deputy Director Paul Abbate.
Grassley added, “[I] must express my vote of no confidence in your continued leadership of the FBI.”
Wray still has three years remaining in his 10-year term, meaning Patel can only assume the role if Wray resigns or Trump removes him.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas also expressed his tentative support for Patel.
“We still don’t know what Director Wray’s plans are, but eventually, I assume that Mr. Patel will be confirmed as the next FBI director,” Cornyn said.
Cornyn added that he was “certainly inclined to support [Patel], barring some unforeseen circumstances.” During their meeting, Cornyn and Patel discussed the importance of maintaining the FBI’s “reputation as a nonpartisan law enforcement investigative agency.”